“Good.”
She closed her eyes and took a moment to enjoy the comfort he offered. She could imagine embracing him this way for the rest of her life.
A dangerous thought. Melissa was messing with her head.
She took a step back and avoided looking at the socialite. “Shall we go back in?”
“Are you ready for round two?” Lucian asked, amusement in his voice.
“Absolutely.” Taking his arm, she let him lead her back toward the lion’s den. With Melissa’s revelations filling her head, she swore to focus only on helping him through his night.
And not on the treacherous longings in her heart.
Chapter Nine
All manner of fantasies played through her mind. Abbey had relived the previous night more times than she could count. She thought of the way she’d finished the evening, building rapport with his allies. The night had been tedious, but she didn’t think she’d done a terrible job considering her mortal handicap.
She schmoozed with the best of them. Been effortless and charming in the name of Lucian’s reputation. And he’d rewarded her well for her diligence.
Abbey closed her eyes and remembered the care with which he’d touched her once they were alone. As if she were special to him.
A girl could get used to such affection.
He was due to arrive any minute and she busied herself going over the final details of tonight’s date. After all, he was meeting a cover model. She told herself to be prepared when he blew her off after the thirty-minute mark. What man would turn down a Sports Illustrated centerfold?
Even knowing her bleak reality, when he walked in her door, she couldn’t help how her heart leaped.
“Hi,” she said, rising from her chair.
“Hello,” Lucian replied, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her in for a kiss. “I’ve missed you.”
“It’s only been a day.”
“Too long.”
Shaking her head, she handed him the night’s file. “You have a spectacular date lined up.”
“Thirty minutes,” was all he said as he glanced through the file.
She smiled as she reached behind her desk for the pink bag waiting there.
“Thank you for last night,” she said, holding it out to him.
Lucian arched a brow. “I thought humans didn’t use gifts?”
Abbey shrugged. “I break half of the mortal-supernatural rules anyway.” Especially if she was willing to face Vivian’s wrath and explore whatever the hell was going on between them.
Opening the bag, Lucian pulled out a bright-red decorative pillow. He looked at her, confusion clear in his gaze.
“I thought your apartment could use a little color,” she said. Abbey didn’t mention it was the same shade as the Armani dress and she’d wanted to leave her mark on his home. That small pillow might last longer in his life than she did.
A smile curved Lucian’s lips before he kissed her. “Thank you.”
Abbey returned his grin, glad she’d given in to the sentimental urge. Every time she saw that pillow in his monochromatic apartment, it would make her smile.
“We should go.”
“Go so we can leave,” he said, carrying the bag in one hand and holding out his other arm to her.
Abbey smiled all the way to the restaurant.
She made the introductions with smooth confidence and slipped away.
The look her lover gave her as she left would have scorched the earth. Physically she might not measure up to the cover model but right now, she felt like she came out on top.
The thought was a heady thing.
“Water,” she told the bartender as she hopped onto the stool. Taking her cell phone out, she switched on the timer.
Ten minutes later, Lucian was by her side.
“Was it long enough?” he asked between kisses.
“As your matchmaker, it was unforgivably rude,” she said. “And as your lover, it was too damn long.”
“Forgive me,” he said, pulling her toward his waiting car.
They were in his apartment in under an hour and naked in less time than that.
“I think I could get addicted to this,” she said, lying naked underneath him.
He dropped his head to her breast. “You are the only peace I’ve known in decades.”
Abbey laughed. “I’m sure you say that to all the girls.”
“No.” He rose over her to meet her gaze directly. “Only you.”
Her heart melted a little more. She knew she was in dangerous territory. Vampires didn’t take human as their mates. All she could have with Lucian was a brilliant affair.
Even so, his words warmed her in a way no man’s ever had.
She glanced at the window seat and saw her red pillow resting against the glass. No matter when they parted, she hoped he’d look back on their relationship with fond memories.